City of Stairs: Book One of the Divine Cities Trilogy
Sep 2014 · The Divine Cities Book 1 · Del Rey
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HUGO AND LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • In the first book of an epic fantasy trilogy, master spy Shara Thivani investigates a murder in a mysterious city of dead gods, living assassins, and buried histories, from the nationally bestselling author of The Tainted Cup.
“Readers seeking a truly refreshing fantasy milieu should travel to Bulikov, and welcome its conquest.”—N. K. Jemison, The New York Times
With the gods on its side, the city of Bulikov was once rich beyond measure, using the power of the heavens to reign over the Continent—until a desperate people rose up and did the impossible, killing its divine protectors. Now the surreal landscape of the city itself—first shaped, now shattered, by the thousands of miracles its guardians once worked upon it—stands as a constant, haunting reminder of its former supremacy.
Into this broken city steps Shara Thivani. Officially, the unassuming young woman is just another junior diplomat sent by Bulikov's oppressors. Unofficially, she is one of her country's most accomplished spies, dispatched to catch a murderer. But as Shara pursues the killer, she starts to suspect that the beings who ruled this terrible place may not be as dead as they seem—and that Bulikov's cruel reign may not yet be over.
“A great world, original and unique, with a scent and a texture, a sense of deep, bloody history, and a naturally blended magic living in the stones.”—NPR
Don’t miss any of Robert Jackson Bennet’s Divine Cities trilogy:
CITY OF STAIRS • CITY OF BLADES • CITY OF MIRACLES
“Readers seeking a truly refreshing fantasy milieu should travel to Bulikov, and welcome its conquest.”—N. K. Jemison, The New York Times
With the gods on its side, the city of Bulikov was once rich beyond measure, using the power of the heavens to reign over the Continent—until a desperate people rose up and did the impossible, killing its divine protectors. Now the surreal landscape of the city itself—first shaped, now shattered, by the thousands of miracles its guardians once worked upon it—stands as a constant, haunting reminder of its former supremacy.
Into this broken city steps Shara Thivani. Officially, the unassuming young woman is just another junior diplomat sent by Bulikov's oppressors. Unofficially, she is one of her country's most accomplished spies, dispatched to catch a murderer. But as Shara pursues the killer, she starts to suspect that the beings who ruled this terrible place may not be as dead as they seem—and that Bulikov's cruel reign may not yet be over.
“A great world, original and unique, with a scent and a texture, a sense of deep, bloody history, and a naturally blended magic living in the stones.”—NPR
Don’t miss any of Robert Jackson Bennet’s Divine Cities trilogy:
CITY OF STAIRS • CITY OF BLADES • CITY OF MIRACLES
HUGO AND LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • In the first book of an epic fantasy trilogy, master spy Shara Thivani investigates a murder in a mysterious city of dead gods, living assassins, and buried histories, from the nationally bestselling author of The Tainted Cup.
“Readers seeking a truly refreshing ...
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Ratings and reviews
107 reviews
Morgan Barrientos
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May 11, 2015
The story itself was an interesting concept, and that's what drew me to start this book. I have never read anything by this author before, but overall, I would have to say I disliked it. I absolutely couldn't get over how many italics in dialogue that the author used! Every page had at least one italicized word; it was as if in my head they spoke like teenagers with emphasis on EVERY other WORD. The plot twists also were predictable, and offered no mystery. Which I was looking forward to. Too bad.
4 people found this review helpful
Rebecca Lewis
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September 17, 2026
I thought City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett was an interesting book because it’s not just a typical fantasy story. It has a mix of mystery, politics, religion, and some pretty cool supernatural stuff. The story takes place in Bulikov, a city that used to be powerful because of its gods, but those gods were killed and now the city is living in the shadow of what it used to be.
Jessica Hackman
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April 10, 2015
It got off to a slow start then introduced me to a believable and unforgettable new place. I could see myself living in Bulikov.
4 people found this review helpful
About the author
Robert Jackson Bennett is the author of the bestselling Ana and Din series, the first book of which, The Tainted Cup, won the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel and was an Edgar Award finalist. Previously, his Founders Trilogy and his Divine Cities trilogy were both Hugo Award finalists in the Best Series category. His work has received the Edgar Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the Philip K. Dick Citation for Excellence, and has been shortlisted numerous times for the World Fantasy and Locus awards. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his family.
Robert Jackson Bennett is the author of the bestselling Ana and Din series, the first book of which, The Tainted Cup, won the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel and was an Edgar Award finalist. Previously, his Founders Trilogy and his Divine Cities trilogy were b...
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